following purpose. Doct. 1. When the Lord condescends to choose a people to himselfe, it is his way to prevent them in their low condition, by his goodnesse, and to pur∣chase a dominion over them and engage them to be his, by many mercies shewed unto them; for, such was his deal∣ing with Israel; he brought them up from the land of Egypt, where they were in bondage, and upon this he grounds his plea and chalenge. 2. A delivered and dignified people do ofttimes so carry themselves, as God hath much to say against them; for, there is this word which the Lord hath spoken against you, O children of Israel. 3. Such as God hath done good unto, are bound not to slight his word; but to heare and ponder what he hath to say, though it were even against them; considering what misery it por∣tends (if not prevented) to have the word against them, and how little it will availe them not to hearken to it; and considering what their obligations to God are, and that he can reach them otherwise who will not heare the word; Therefore, saith he, heare this word &c. 4. It is the duty of these who would have the word effectual on their hearts, not to fixe their eye upon the basenesse of the instruments who carry it, but on God who putteth these messages in their mouths; Therefore, are they led from looking to this herdman, and to hear this word that the Lord hath spoken. 5. All a peoples reall priviledges, and what they please to arrogate to themselves beside, will not availe them before God, when they provoke him, nor will they be a shelter to protect them in their slighting of the word; for, saith he, hear this word—against the whole family which I have brought up &c. Albeit Israel, to whom the Prophet is sent, were not this whole Family, yet they were the great∣est part; and they thought little of Judah in comparison of themselves, accounting that (as they were the most in number, so,) they were the Lords chief people, to whom the adoption and promises did belong. And the Lord de∣clares, that granting all that were true (as it was not) yea and though Judah were joyned with them (and so the sentence should import a rejection not onely of a part, but of all that people;) yet all that could not availe to ex∣cuse their sin, or keep in this sad sentence.